Gripping device.



W. D. ROOP. GBIPPING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 14, 1909.

Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

H M MII l l li... I" H WILLIAM DIGKEY R001,

OF MARION, INDIANA.

GRIPPING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

Application filed July 14, 1909. Serial No. 507,609.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM D. Roor, a citizen of the United States,residing at Marion, county of Grant, and State of In- I diana, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Gripping Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to gripping devices and more specifically togripping handles particularly designed for engagement of bowling ballsto facilitate the accurate delivery or discharge thereof in playing.

The object of my invention is to provide a simply constructed yetefficient grip, by the aid of which, any one may throw a bowling ballwith greater accuracy and ease than by the method now in vogue, but moreespecially to assist those who have a weak or delicate hand to engage inand enjoy the game of bowling equally with those who are more hearty.

A further object is to provide a device of the character mentionedwhich, by slight modification in its design such as is permissiblewithout departing from the spirit of my invention, may be made to serveas an article of amusement or necessity.

A still further object is the provision of the device as mentioned whichwill be strong, durable and comparatively simple of construction henceof low cost to manufacture.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

WVith these objects in view my invention consists in a gripping devicecharacterized as above mentioned and in certain details of constructionand arrangement of parts all as will be hereinafter fully described andmore particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which,

Figure 1 is a sectional front elevation of the preferred form of mydevice showing the application thereof to a bowling ball, a fragment ofthe latter being shown in sec tion, Fig. 2 is a similar side elevationthereof, Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sections taken respectively on thelines C()fl1 and y-y of Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is a slightly enlargedperspective of the outer or lower end portion of my preferred form ofdevice showing the gripping jaws mounted thereon in opened or normalposition, and Figs. (3 and 7 illustrate slightly modified forms of mydevice.

Referring now to the drawings 1 indicates the body of the devicecomprised in which is a handle piece or grip 2 which is formed so as tobest fit the human hand, and a forwardly projecting substantiallycylindrically formed integral shank 3, the latter being of a form anddimensions such as to adapt the same to be snugly received in the usualthumb hole f provided in a bowling ball. Rockingly secured upon themember 1 the same being preferably, although not necessarily, sunk ingrooves 5 formed in the outer surface of the forward end or shankportion thereof are lovers 6 so positioned that their forwardextremities are disposed in close proximity with each other and theirrearward ends terminate at the opposite sides of said member, as clearlyshown in Fig. 1. If desired eyes or loops 7 embracing the levers (S andsecured in the body portion 3 may be employed to effect the positive andsecure positioning of said levers in said grooves. A metallic sleeve 8entirely inclosing or enveloping the body portion 8 is preferablyemployed to produce a smooth nonfrictional contacting surface forengagement with the lateral walls of the thumb-hole of the bowling ballengaged. Each of the members (3 is preferably formed of a piece of wireor slender metallic rod the forward end of which is bent downwardly to aposition at substantially right angles to the body thereof to form a jawor grasping portion 9, the opposite end being bent obliquely outwardlyfrom the axial line of the body of the member to form an actuating stemor finger grip 10; it being clear that the relative positions of theportions 9 and 10 of said members are such that when the actuating stems10 thereof are rocked downwardly and inwardly toward the handle, thejaws 9 will be opposing members, and that, being disposed sufficientlyclose to each other as before described, will be forced inwardly towardeach other so as to embrace any object which may come between them, asclearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In order to effect the returning of saidjaws to initial or open position, compression coil springs 11 arepreferably interposed between the extremities of the actuating stems 10and the sides of the handle 2, the same being so arranged as to exert anupward outward pressure upon said stems, hence, upon the release of thelatter, will be adapted to return the same, and hence the jaws 9 toinitial position, such position of said stems and said jaws beingrespectively shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and in full lines in Fig.5. Suitable pads 12 provided upon the extremities of the stems 10 servean obvious purpose. Therefore, in order to employ my improved handle inconnection with a bowling ball, I provide the latter with a suitableheaded stud or pin 13 rigidly secured and centrally positioned in thebottom of the thumb hole thereof, sufficient space being left betweenthe lower extremity of said head and the bottom of said cavity toreceive the grasping jaws 9 of the members (3 so as to permit of theirgrasping the body of the stud 13 below its head, as clearly shown inFigs. 1 and 2, said head in such event entering a recess 14 provided inthe lower extremity of the member 1 for the reception thereof. Vith suchprovision, in order to fasten or look the handle and ball together, itis only required that the operator or player insert the shank 3 of thedevice into the thumb-hole in the ball until the jaws 9 thereof contactthe bottom of said cavity or are positioned below the head of the stud13. Now, by gripping the hand piece 2, in a natural manner, the thumband forefinger will be positioned in contact with the pads 12 pressingthem downwardly and inwardly toward the handle, forcing the jaws 9together in the manner above stated, obviously effecting the locking ofthe ball to the device. In order to discharge the ball, aftermaneuvering for the shot as is ordinary, in playing, it is required onlyto relax the grip of the thumb and finger slightly, as when throwingwith the bare hand, and the ball will be found to glide away smoothlyupon its intended course in a natural and forceful manner. In this waythe full strength of all the hand, fingers, and wrist may be utilizedand brought into play while retaining natural position thereof andexerting no undue strain or over-work upon any one alone.

Fig. 6 indicates a modified form of the device in which the members 6are lengthened considerable into the form of a walking stick, one ofsaid members being rigidly secured in place and its opposing memberbeing mounted to be rocked to coact with it in the manner abovedescribed. Said members are preferably held in their relative operativepositions by suitable bands 15 embracing the upper end portions thereofand by entwining one thereof about the other, as

shown. The lower extremities of said mem bers terminating incup likeopposing portions 16, it is evident the latter may be brought to graspsmall objects as a pebble or the like, adapting the device to be used asa sling.

F ig; 7 also indicates a slightly modified form, and shows only a partof the member 6 entwined as above described so that one can readily turnor rock in its place. The

outer end ort-ion 17 of said members being formed so as to adapt thesame to grasp any small parcel of goods, as indicated by 18, for thepurpose of placing it upon or removing the same from localities out ofhands reach, it is evident the device might be effectually usedas ashelf tongs.

\Vhile I have shown what I deem to be the preferable forms of my deviceI do not wish to be limited thereto as there might be many changes madein the details of construct-ion and the arrangement of parts withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention comprehended within the scopeof the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a handle, ashank projecting therefrom, a rock shaft mounted on said handle andshank, a gripping jaw at the outer end of and angularly disposed withrespect to said rock shaft, a gripping jaw adapted to cooperate withsaid first mentioned gripping jaw, and means at said handle for rockingsaid rock shaft, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a handle, ashank projecting therefrom, a pair of rock shafts mounted on said handleand shank, gripping jaws at the outer ends of and angularly disposedwith respect to said rock shafts, and means at said handle for rockingsaid rock shafts, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a bowling ball having a headed stud provided atthe bottom of the thumb hole thereof, of a handle hav-.

ing a shank adapted for insertion into said hole, grasping jaws providedat the lower extremity of said shank adapted to grasp said stud belowits head, and rearwardly extending actuating stems rockingly secured tosaid shank terminating in projecting portions adapted for engagement bya finger and thumb, and means for normally holding said jaws indisengaging position, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a bowling ball having a headed stud provided atthe bottom of the thumb hole thereof, of a handle having a shank adaptedfor insertion into said hole, a recess provided in the lower exportionsfor normally holding said grasping jaws in disengaging position,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof name to this specification in two subscribingwitnesses.

WILLIAM DICKEY ItOOP.

\Vitnesses JAMES F. Moon, Mrs. E. I. Harms.

tremity of said shank for the reception of the head of said stud,coacting graspingjaws mounted for oscillation transversely of the lowerextremity of said shank, said jaws being adapted to engage said studbelow its head to lock said ball to said handle, integral stemsrearwardly extending from said jaws rockingly secured to said shank,said stems terminating at opposite sides of said handle in projectingfinger engaging portions, and

resilient means engaging said last named I have signed my 15 thepresence of

